The School of Law (SOL) of Saint Louis University (SLU) conducted a two-day colloquium on Public International Law from 21 to 22 November 2023 at the Fr. Joseph Van den Daelen – Center for Culture and the Arts (CCA) Theater. The event featured discussions by renowned experts on international law and provided a forum for law students and faculty from Baguio and Benguet to engage in discussions on critical global issues.
In line with the advocacy of SLU and the School of Law to promote legal knowledge about pressing issues of today, the School invited different organizations, institutions and sectors across Baguio-Benguet. Among these were University of the Cordilleras (UC), headed by Dean Renato S. Rondez; University of Baguio (UB), headed by Dean John Ray M. Libiran; Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC), headed by Dean Alexis R. Agmat; Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Baguio-Benguet Chapter led by Atty. Jose M. Molintas; Public Attorney’s Office led by Atty. Leilanie Q. Dasig-Quanguey; City Legal Office headed by Atty. Althea Rosanna V. Alberto; and Regional Trial Court (RTC) and Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) Judges.
Day 1: Applying Human Rights and Climate Justice Lens
Atty. Jennifer N. Asuncion, the day’s host, began the colloquium with the program preliminaries. Then, on behalf of SLU President, Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, Joselito P. Gutierrez, LPT, PhD, Executive Assistant to the President, presented warm opening remarks, setting the stage for the day’s insightful discussion. This was followed by an engaging introduction of the speaker led by Dean Alexis Agmata of CCDC COL.
In line with Sustainable Development Goals 13 (Climate Action) and 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), Environmental and Human Rights advocate Prof. Antonio Gabriel M. La Viña gave his lecture on The Wars in Ukraine and Gaza: Applying Human Rights and Climate Justice Lens.
Prof. La Viña began his talk by aligning the advocacies of Laudato Si and Fratelli Tutti of Pope Francis to Climate Justice and Political Love, Human Fraternity, and Social Friendship. In doing so, he discussed recommendations and tangible solutions to address the Israel-Palestine crisis and Russia-Ukraine war.
“In both wars, children and innocent civilians must be protected with all the means possible by the combatants and by the international community,” Prof. La Viña reiterated.
He discussed the distinctions of relevant international laws to further provide context. In line with this, Prof. La Viña underscored the adverse effects of these international disputes on the Indigenous People in the Philippines, such as the Cordillerans and Lumads, given the current political state of the country.
On climate change, Prof. La Viña stressed that the fraction of money given by the US government to fund the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) can finance the world’s environmental destruction.
He ended his lecture by referencing Pope Francis’ Fratelli Tutti and how citizens can be like him in times of cruelty. The lecture challenged the audience and garnered a positive response towards collective action.
A panel discussion then commenced where each representative of the aforementioned organizations gave invaluable insights of the talk.
With Dean Libiran of UB-SOL as moderator, the discussion started with SLU Professor Atty. Eric Karl Nicholas M. Aguilar who explained the philosophical justification of war in a greater context and how the international committee needs to have a greater appreciation in rebuilding the environment after a war.
UC professor Atty. Paul De Vera, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of determining the truth of where conflicts begin. UB law student Jane Ling Adolfo then centered on the significance of identity in wars and its impact on people’s stance.
Lastly, CCDC professor Atty. Miller Quintin asserted that wars start with scarcity of resources implying that the war in Gaza is caused by scarcity of lands. He also explained how the Philippines should share a collective guilt in the Gaza Strip bombing because of its strong ties with Israel.
To conclude the panel discussion, Prof. La Viña shared his experience in 1974 during the war between the government and Moro National Liberation Front, which urged him to become a human rights lawyer. He stated that healing is important in the rule of law.
Dean Jerico Gay-ya of SLU-SOL delivered his closing remarks and accentuated the devastating effects of war crimes on biodiversity and climate crisis, encouraging the audience to be advocates of peace.
Day 2: Dissecting the West Philippine Sea Controversy
Executive Assistant to the President, Joselito C. Gutierrez, LPT, PhD, formally opened the second day with his opening remarks, expressing the honor of welcoming a highly respected and distinguished guest speaker to enlighten participants on the true nature of the issue, “which has escalated since the naval standoff over the Scarborough Shoal in April 2012.”
Dean Rondez of the UC COL introduced esteemed speaker Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice and former Solicitor General Hon. Francis H. Jardeleza. He lauded Hon. Jardeleza’s remarkable journey as an academic, public servant, educator, and Independent Director of various Philippine companies. He also commended Hon. Jardeleza’s unwavering commitment to justice, a principle that has steadfastly guided his life’s work and accomplishments.
Looking at the West Philippine Sea issue in a different light, Hon. Jardeleza shared his insights on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue, providing a new perspective on the long-standing maritime dispute. Hon. Jardeleza’s expertise on the matter helped shed light on the issue’s complexities, offering valuable insights for the audience.
Part of the colloquium was a special screening of the 40-minute documentary, “Beyond the Horizon of Continuing Quest for Justice in the West Philippine Sea” that delved into the historical context and legal intricacies of the landmark case filed against China at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague. It dissected the Philippines’ victory in 2016, highlighting the unequivocal ruling by the PCA tribunal that affirmed the country’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the WPS, an area unlawfully claimed by China as part of its expansive “South China Sea” territory.
The documentary screening was followed by a panel discussion with Hon. Jardeleza together with panelists consisting of Atty. Anton Luis A. Avila, SLU Professor; Atty. Carlos Canilao, IBP Baguio-Benguet Representative; Atty. Paul De Vera, UC Professor; and Moderator ASOG Victor Corpuz Atitiw.
One question posed to the panelists delved into the potential of filing another case in an international tribunal. Atty. De Vera acknowledged that this option remains available to assert the Philippines’ rights within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). However, he underscored the crux of the matter lies in effectively enforcing any arbitral ruling.
Meanwhile, Hon. Jardeleza concurred that pursuing another case would only serve as a continuation of the country’s victory in the previous arbitration, affirming “what we won is very clear.” However, he emphasized that the country can go to mitigation for the environment only, highlighting the country can’t afford expensive foreign councils.
Concluding the two-day event, SLU SOL Dean Gay-ya remarked, “As we conclude the enlightening and engaging 2-day colloquium that transpired yesterday with Prof. La Vina as lecturer and today with Justice Francis as resource speaker, let us reflect on the power of legal knowledge and the importance of the continuous learning of the Law, more importantly on how the law can be an instrument in attaining justice.”
Dean Gay-ya and the SLU SOL expressed their hope that the diverse perspectives presented during the lecture series would ignite critical thinking and foster open dialogue.
